Discipleship Starts with a Conversation
Family Discipleship 102
“A Conversation about Who”
“Not my people; not my problem.” As wonderful as it is to focus on our own families, I’ve noticed that sometimes Christians focus ONLY on their families. It’s definitely biblical to teach our own kids first and make them our priority (we talked about this in the preceding discipleship conversation “Family Discipleship 101”. However, in the New Testament, Jesus calls us to go beyond our immediate relationships and reach out to others in His Name. This is the message that we learn from Acts 1:8 – – – and about which I saw such a great analogy in “The Great Dog Rescue of January 2023”. I invite you to listen in to my story! Bottom line is, God wants us to be willing to stop, take a risk and make others matter in His Name. We never know how He will use us – – – we may just save a life or two! ~ Join me in this conversation as we consider the implications and importance of God’s call to go beyond our comfort zones to serve others in Jesus’ Name.
Acts 1:8
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Seek Him!
God has a calling on each of our lives, a calling that sends us beyond ourselves and even our immediate relationships. To follow Him completely, we must pay attention to this call. Let’s “Seek Him” about what He is saying to us through Acts 1:8!
Word
God, what are you saying to me through this Scripture?
Jesus promised to give His followers power to make an impact in many places. “Jerusalem” was the epicenter of their lives; “Judea and Samaria” were their nearby regions. Then, “the ends of the earth” were the places that would eventually reach all the way to us! That’s how far Jesus was sending His followers outside their comfort zones to minister to others! ~ What is your “Jerusalem”? Who are some people in your “Jerusalem”? Your family, kids, spouse, siblings…???
Why
God, why does this matter?
Jesus sent His followers to reach people beyond their immediate relationships because He wanted everyone to have the opportunity to hear about and know Him! We can be part of this, too, when we are His “witnesses”! ~ Who is someone outside your “Jerusalem” that you can reach out to in Jesus’ Name? Maybe a neighbor, classmate or co-worker? How can you be a witness for Jesus to that person?
What
God, What else does your word say about this?
In the OT, God told families to talk about Him and His Word (Deuteronomy 6:4-7). Then, in the NT, Jesus said: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15). Discipleship begins within our own families then extends into the conversations and relationships we have with others. ~ Who might “all the world” be in your life and relationships right now? What is a way you can share the love of Jesus with that person?
Worship
God, How do you want me to respond to this truth?
A “witness” can be a silent observer or an active communicator about what they’ve seen or experienced. Jesus wants us to worship Him by actively sharing what we’ve experienced with Him. ~ How can you be a witness for Jesus this week? To whom is God sending you?
Speak Him!
Once we “Seek Him,” we can “Speak Him” into the lives of the people God has entrusted to us. This is what discipleship is!
Discipleship doesn’t have to be boring! Being a “witness” for Jesus happens when we “Speak Him” as we go along life’s way! Let’s be people who use the power Jesus gives us to share our faith with others – those we know and some we don’t know – so they can meet Him, too!
Acts 1:8
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
© 2023 Tosha Williams, Family Disciple Me
Discipleship starts with a conversation
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